Varicocele Embolization: A Minimally Invasive Treatment

Navigating the world of medical procedure and jargon can feel overwhelming. Unfamiliar terms and confusing practices may leave you scratching your head. A varicocele diagnosis may raise concerns about its pain, inflammation, and impact on a man’s overall health.

Modern medicine provides effective treatments for varicocele. Varicocele embolization, a minimally invasive procedure, relieves symptoms and enhances quality of life.

In this article, we’ll break down the varicocele embolization procedure into understandable terms so you can approach your treatment plan with confidence and clarity.

What is a Varicocele?

A varicocele is a condition where an enlarged vein within the scrotum develops. The scrotum is the sac that contains the male testes, blood vessels, and part of your spermatic cord. Sperm are produced here in the testes and travel through the spermatic cord’s duct system to be ejaculated through the urethra.

A varicocele is like varicose veins found in the legs. This occurs when blood flow is irregular through the blood vessels in this part of the body, often due to obstruction or poorly functioning valves in the veins. Such an enlarged vein from blood pooling here can lead to scrotum inflammation or testicular pain. A varicocele affecting the left testis is more common.

Varicoceles are often harmless, may cause no symptoms, and don’t require treatment. However, the possibility of pain, swelling, and reduced fertility are common problems. Up to 40% of men suffering from infertility can trace the issue to varicocele.

How is Varicocele Embolization Performed?

Before the surgical treatment, your doctor will take your vitals like blood pressure. A health history will ensure there are no medicine allergies that would prevent the surgery from moving forward. For example, one of the very rare risks is an allergy to X-ray dye contrast. Make sure to communicate prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs you may have taken.

During varicocele embolization, a local anesthetic (numbing medicine) will be given in your upper thigh to prevent pain and a mild sedative may be administered to help you relax. The interventional radiologist will perform the outpatient procedure with only a small nick in a vein to insert a thin, flexible catheter tube at an insertion site in the groin or thigh. They will inject X-ray dye and use imaging technologies to help visualize the blood flow as they guide the catheter through the femoral vein to the affected veins in the groin.

A tiny coil or special agents are used to block the affected veins which redirects blood flow to nearby veins. Over time, the enlarged vein will shrink down and be reabsorbed by your body. When the catheter is removed, all that’s required is a small bandage to cover the puncture site – no stitches required!

Expect to be monitored in a recovery room to ensure there are no complications. Your doctor will observe you until you’re fully recovered from the local anesthesia and awake from any sedatives used. The total surgery time is 1 to 2 hours and most patients will return home the same day.

Why Choose Embolization for the Affected Vein Over More Invasive Surgical Techniques?

Varicocele embolization is an attractive option for many men over more invasive techniques like varicocelectomy, or tying off and removing the affected veins. Recovery time is often shorter with less pain. Most men can return home within a few hours. Normal activities can resume within a day. However, you may need to avoid sexual activity for a few weeks after the procedure.

Because varicocele embolization only involves a tiny needle stick rather than an open surgery incision, there is less risk of infection and fewer complications. Embolization is highly successful in treating varicoceles with many patients experiencing long-term relief from pain and swelling.

Embolization of veins affected by varicoceles can also be an effective treatment for infertility in men. Because of irregular blood flow, sperm quality and count can be improved once this issue is addressed and the varicocele is resolved. If infertility is the main motive for receiving the procedure, your doctor will likely follow up with alternative tests like a semen analysis after a few months.

What to Expect from Varicocele Surgery and Varicocele Embolization

While varicocele embolization is highly effective, there may be some inherent risks as with any medical procedure. Talk with your doctor about all your concerns before committing to the procedure and carefully evaluate your own risks. Consider discussing the following points:

• Varicocele Recurrence: In less than 10% of cases, the varicocele may return making a repeat procedure necessary.
• Allergic Reactions: Some people have adverse reactions to medications or the contrast dye used by the imaging techniques used to place the catheter near the enlarged veins.
• Migration of the Coil: In rare cases, the coil used to block the vein may move from its original position, requiring additional treatment.
• Lower Back Pain, Inflammation: Some patients report mild back pain or inflammation of the scrotum but these conditions usually subside with time.

Conclusion

Few things match the relief of hearing your healthcare provider telling you that a medical procedure successfully fixed your health issue. Many men suffer in silence from varicoceles – enlarged veins in the scrotum. However, effective varicocele treatment options are available to deal with this abnormal enlargement. Embolization safely and effectively uses a blocking agent to reroute blood flow to healthy veins. Speak with your doctor today to see if varicocele embolization is the right treatment for you.